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JCS ePress
online publication date 30 Nov 2004
doi: 10.1242/jcs.01569
Research Article
Importin
is transported to spindle poles during mitosis and regulates Ran-dependent spindle assembly factors in mammalian cells
Marilena Ciciarello,
Rosamaria Mangiacasale,
Catherine Thibier,
Giulia Guarguaglini,
Enzo Marchetti,
Barbara Di Fiore,
and
Patrizia Lavia*
* Author for correspondence (e-mail: patrizia.lavia{at}uniroma1.it)
Spatial control is a key issue in cell division. The Ran GTPase regulates several fundamental processes for cell life, largely acting through importin molecules. The best understood of these is protein import through the nuclear envelope in interphase, but roles in mitotic spindle assembly are also established. In mammalian cells, in which centrosomes are major spindle organizers, a link is emerging between the Ran network, centrosomes and spindle poles. Here, we show that, after nuclear envelope breakdown, importin
is transported to the spindle poles in mammalian cells. This localization is temporally regulated from prometaphase until anaphase, when importin
dissociates from poles and is recruited back around reforming nuclei. Importin
sediments with mitotic microtubules in vitro and its accumulation at poles requires microtubule integrity and dynamics in vivo. Furthermore, RNA interference-dependent inactivation of TPX2, the major Ran-dependent spindle organizer, abolishes importin
accumulation at poles. Importin
has a functional role in spindle pole organization, because overexpression yields mitotic spindles with abnormal, fragmented poles. Coexpression of TPX2 with importin
mitigates these abnormalities. Together, these results indicate that the balance between importins and spindle regulators of the TPX2 type is crucial for spindle formation. Targeting of TPX2/importin-
complexes to poles is a key aspect in Ran-dependent control of the mitotic apparatus in mammalian cells.

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